Newcastle Boxing Day sales: retailers expecting big crowds

SHOP TILL YOU DROP: Lillias Foster at Westfield Kotara gearing up for Boxing Day shopping, which is now permanently allowed in New South Wales following the passing of legislation in September. Picture: Simone De Peak.

HUNTER shoppers’ race for a bargain will enter a new era this year, following a state decision to permanently allow retailers in suburban and regional NSW to trade on Boxing Day.

Over the past two years, a trial was conducted which allowed retailers to open on Boxing Day temporarily, and that experience has Hunter stores expecting big crowds.

Before the two-year trial thousands of retail shops were unable to open while shops in Sydney CBD were allowed to trade all day long.